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Ten Superfoods that May Help Improve Your Health

March 12, 2019

March is National Nutrition Month, making this the perfect time to take a look at some of the foods that have been shown to improve health, reduce risk for many diseases and increase longevity. There’s a lot of conflicting information surrounding the foods and beverage we eat and drink. Is chocolate good or bad for you? What about red meat? Does coffee promote health or raise blood pressure? With so much confusion, it can be difficult to know what you should put on the dinner table. Fortunately, there are some foods that are generally accepted as good for you. Here is a list of just some of the foods most nutritionists agree can help boost your health. Due to certain dietary restrictions or choices, you may not be able to include all of these, but most people can incorporate at least some of these superfoods into their diets. Be sure and check with your physician or nutritionist to find out if these foods would benefit you.

Wild Alaskan Salmon

Salmon is a food very high in omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats have a wealth of benefits. According to a study published in Neurology, eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids is linked with lower levels of beta-amyloid protein, which is linked with Alzheimer’s disease. In an earlier study published in Neurology, low omega-3 levels were linked with smaller brain size and a poorer performance on memory tests. Omega-3s are also powerful anti-inflammatory agents that have been shown to ease joint pain and stiffness and depression, two ailments that affect seniors in disproportionately high numbers.

Blueberries

Blueberries are powerful antioxidants, which protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals, which can cause damage to the cells in your body. Too many free radicals in the body have been linked to a wide variety of maladies including cancer, heart disease, and some degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Most berries are good for you, so be sure and include strawberries, acai berries and goji berries in your diet as well.

Kale

Almost all leafy greens are good for you, but kale is king. Like many of the foods listed here, kale is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory food. It is rich in iron, Vitamins A, C and K, and calcium, making it another great alternative to dairy foods for bone health.

Avocados

Avocados are packed with nutrients and although they are high in fat, the fat found in “alligator pears” is actually good for you. In an article published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers discovered that people who included an avocado in their diet had lower overall cholesterol levels, lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol) levels, and lower triglyceride levels. Avocados have also been shown to increase HDL (“good” cholesterol) levels.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich with lycopene, which has been shown to help prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and numerous cancers. Like blueberries, tomatoes are also rich in antioxidants. And unlike many other fruits and vegetables, cooking tomatoes doesn’t lessen their health benefits. In fact, cooking tomatoes actually increases the level of phytochemicals they contain.

Eggs

This may come as a surprise to many, since eggs have gotten such a bad rap. Eggs are high in dietary cholesterol. That much is true. But there is no evidence that shows that eating eggs raises your serum cholesterol (the number you get from your doctor after a blood test). In fact, eggs are extremely nutrient-rich and are a source of high-quality protein.

Almonds

Almonds are very high in calcium, something particularly important for older Americans. This makes almonds an excellent choice for those who are lactose intolerant or who simply choose not to eat dairy products. Almonds are also high in Vitamin E and are a good source of protein. Another good “health nut” are walnuts. Walnuts are high in Omega-3s and antioxidants and have been shown to improve brain health and lower your risk for heart disease.

Turmeric

This yellow spice, typically associated with Indian cuisine, has been shown to have powerful health benefits. It has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has been shown in numerous studies to help prevent and treat cancer.

Chia seeds

Those little seeds that adorn the famous Chia Pets are very nutrient dense. They are loaded with fiber, high in protein, antioxidants and Omega-3s. They are also a great source of calcium, manganese, magnesium and phosphorous.

Green/White Tea

For those who prefer to drink their nutrients, you can’t do much better than green or white tea. The only difference between the two is that white tea is harvested at a younger age than green tea and may, therefore, possess greater amounts of antioxidants, one of its chief health benefits. Studies have also shown green tea may help prevent cancer and improve brain health.

What to Avoid

In addition to consuming more healthful foods, try to avoid highly processed foods, which usually contain a lot of added sugar, salt and fat. Aim instead for whole foods, which have been processed or refined as little as possible. Avoid trans fats altogether – you’ll see these described as word “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” oils on food ingredient labels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set June 18, 2018 as the date all food manufacturers must ensure that their products no longer contain partially hydrogenated oils for uses that have not been otherwise authorized by FDA. But that compliance date has been pushed to January 1, 2020 for those products produced prior to June 18, so there may still be some food products on the shelves that contain partially hydrogenated oils.

This article is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Speak to your doctor and/or a registered dietitian if you have questions about your nutritional needs.